St Mary’s Parish Council

Meets about four times a year at the Presbytery to support the parish priest on parish matters, and organises the annual parish meeting in early summer. Its coverage ranges from retreats and the garden party to financial matters. The Rules of the Blackheath Parish Council explain its remit.

Details of the current membership are on display in the church porch. . Three new members are elected every year at the AGM, usually for a 3 year period. If you would like an item to be raised at the Parish Council, we would be very interested to hear from you. Please feel free to contact one of the office bearers, or fill in one of the post-its in the church porch. If you would like to join the Parish Council, Monsignor Rothon would be pleased to hear from you :stm.blackheath@tiscali.co.uk

The Justice & Peace (J&P) Group

A small, friendly group which meets at 6.30pm on Sunday evenings in the Angelus Room. Dates of meetings are advertised on the J&P board at the back of the church and in the newsletter. New members are always very welcome. The group organises a range of activities in support of causes such as CAFOD, the Manna Centre and the Southwark Day Centre for Asylum Seekers, raises awareness of social justice issues and helps to build the parish faith community. For example, some members are currently supporting ex-offenders on release from Wandsworth Prison. Each Christmas we send cards to prisoners of conscience and organise a â€˜giving treeâ€™ to support our charities. Please contact Michelle Robinson if you would like to find out more, or just come along to a meeting.

The Liturgy Committee

Meets about 4 times a year to decide hymns for 9.30 and 11.00 masses, the biddling prayers, plans for Christmas and Easter services, etc. Contact: Tim Murray

The Childrenâ€™s Liturgy Group

Meets during the 9.30 mass on Sundays during term time to provide a range of activities for children to help them understand the meaning of the mass readings. Contact: Teresa Pearce

The Little Childrenâ€™s Liturgy Group

Meets during the 9.30 mass on Sundays during term time for pre-school children, including babies and toddlers, accompanied by an adult or sibling old enough to look after them and helps them to understand the Gospel of the day.

The Choir

Sings at the 11.00 masses on Sundays and at a number of other events throughout the year. Meets for practice sessions after the 11.00 mass on Sunday mornings. Contact: Tim Murray

The Childrenâ€™s Choir

Sings at the 9.30 masses on the first and second Sundays of the month with rehearsals from 9.00-9.30 before those masses. Contact: Ali Smith or Theresa Freeburn

Eucharistic Ministers

They support the priest in the distribution of communion at each Mass. Meet 3 times a year for a convivial supper in the Presbytery to discuss their role and future rota. Contact Nadia Coote.

Monsignor Rothon invites parishioners to become Eucharistic Ministers after a series of training sessions. If you have been a Eucharistic Minister in a previous parish and would like to help, please let Monsignor know.

Readers

A number of parishioners read at each mass according to a rota, and attend other occasional meetings as advertised in the newsletter. New volunteers are always welcome. If you would like to read, please contact Hazel Wilkinson.

The Meditation Group

Meets every Wednesday evening during term time for prayer and reflection (using the John Main approach to Christian meditation) at the Convent in Hyde Vale. Contact: Don Boyle.

The Tuesday Morning Coffee Group

Meets informally every Tuesday after the 10.00 mass in the Angelus Room for coffee and conversation. Everyone is very welcome.

The Parish Magazine: The Blackheathan

â€œThe Blackheathanâ€ is published ten times a year on the last Sunday of each month. It is distributed to all members of the parish but has a wide circulation outside the parish. There are five members of the editorial team who prepare and edit material for publication. The contents cover a wide range of subjects â€“ travel, architecture, art, music, book reviews, lives of saints, poems as well as items concerning the life and work of the parish. Members of the parish are invited to submit items for publication, particularly about things that are happening in the parish. Contact Ali Smith.

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Other ways you can get involved at St Maryâ€™s

Other specific events are advertised in the newsletter – such as parish retreats and outings or events that are being organised by other bodies such as the deanery or diocese.

Thank you to everyone who helps in whatever way at St Maryâ€™s. Other opportunities include the following:

altar serving

care of the church

flower arrangements

care of the garden

Volunteers, other ideas and offers of help are always welcome.

Please contact Monsignor Rothon if youâ€™d like to offer to help or to get involved at St Maryâ€™s.
We hope you will.